Laminated Display and Method

ABSTRACT

This application discloses a method of making a laminated display, the method comprising the various steps including obtaining the items that will be used in the display; assembling the items used in the display on a first side of a lower sheet having a first and second side and an outer edge; covering the displayed items with an upper sheet; binding selected portions of the lower and upper sheets together using spot seals; removing the air within the display between the lower and upper sheet through the unsealed portion of the upper and lower sheets; and sealing the remaining unsealed portion of the display so as to form the laminated display. The application also discloses a method of providing such a display with personal items supplied by a client.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This application relates generally to the process of making of a laminated display and method of providing such displays to consumers. More specifically, this application relates to the production of placemats, splatmats, or similar laminated devices which may be customized or personalized for consumers.

SUMMARY

This application discloses a process of making a laminated display that can provide a means of containing, protecting, and/or displaying personal items that would otherwise be hidden from view or left to deteriorate as time passed by. Such a method discloses that to make the displays personalized, at least a portion of the items used in the displays are the personal effects of the consumers/clients. The methods are simple and can be used to construct a variety of displays. The terms “display” or “displays” as used herein include placemats, splatmats (used under a child's chair to catch fallen debris), decorative item or any other such application where items are enclosed but viewable in a laminated form. For example, the items for a splatmat may include the keepsakes from a child's first birthday such as the gift wrapping paper used, the birthday cards received, a list of the people that attended, photos from the party, etc.

In particular, this application discloses a method of making a laminated display, the method comprising the steps of obtaining the items that will be used in the display; assembling the items used in the display on a first side of a lower sheet having a first and second side and an outer edge; covering the displayed items with a upper sheet, wherein the upper sheet has a first and second side and an outer edge and wherein the displayed items are sandwiched between the first side of the lower sheet and the first side of the upper sheet; binding selected portions of the lower and upper sheets together using spot seals such that the spot seals act to prevent the displayed items from significantly shifting during completion of the display and once the display is fully assembled; sealing a portion of the outer edges of the upper and lower sheets together; removing the air within the display between the lower and upper sheet through the unsealed portion of the upper and lower sheets; and sealing the remaining unsealed portion of the display so as to form the laminated display.

This application also discloses a method of providing a laminated display device to a client, the method comprising the steps of receiving an order from a client wherein the method of receiving the order is selected from the group consisting of through a retail establishment, through a catalog, through a website, and through an advertisement; assembling the items used in the display on a first side of a lower sheet having a first and second side and an outer edge; covering the displayed items with a upper sheet, wherein the upper sheet has a first and second side and an outer edge and wherein the displayed items are sandwiched between the first side of the lower sheet and the first side of the upper sheet; binding selected portions of the lower and upper sheets together using spot seals such that the spot seals act to prevent the displayed items from significantly shifting during completion of the display and once the display is fully assembled; sealing a portion of the outer edges of the upper and lower sheets together; removing the air within the display between the lower and upper sheet through the unsealed portion of the upper and lower sheets; sealing the remaining unsealed portion of the display so as to form the laminated display; packaging the display; and shipping the display to the client.

This application further discloses a method of providing a personalized laminated display device to a client, the method comprising the steps of receiving an order from a client wherein the method of receiving the order is selected from the group consisting of through a retail establishment, through a catalog, through a website, and through an advertisement accepting personal items from the client; assembling the items used in the display wherein at least a portion of the items are provided by the client on a first side of a lower sheet having a first and second side and an outer edge; covering the displayed items with a upper sheet, wherein the upper sheet has a first and second side and an outer edge and wherein the displayed items are sandwiched between the first side of the lower sheet and the first side of the upper sheet; binding selected portions of the lower and upper sheets together using spot seals such that the spot seals act to prevent the displayed items from significantly shifting during completion of the display and once the display is fully assembled; sealing a portion of the outer edges of the upper and lower sheets together; removing the air within the display between the lower and upper sheet through the unsealed portion of the upper and lower sheets; sealing the remaining unsealed portion of the display so as to form the laminated display; packaging the display; and shipping the display to the client.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a method of providing a laminated display to a client as disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a method of making a laminated display as disclosed herein; and

FIG. 3 is a representative display constructed according to the method disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a method of providing a laminated display to a client as disclosed herein. In the preferred embodiment, a user would receive an order 10 for a given laminated display. The order may be derived from any number of ways, but may include having a display at a retail establishment, through a catalog, through an advertisement, or through a website. If the display that is selected by the client is to include personal items, the user then accepts those materials 11. Materials can be hand delivered, shipped, or any other means of getting the client's personal items to the client. Such personal items may include

The client may instead select a generic design, such as boats, sports, princesses or any other design favored by the client. In this case, the user or display maker would then provide the materials for the generic designs selected 12. Whether the design is personalized, generic, or a combination of the two, the next steps for the user involve the assembly of the design 20. See FIG. 2 and below for the details involving the assembly of the design. The display or product is then packaged 13 in a way that is known in the art, but preferably it is rolled up and mailed in a shipping tube and shipped to the customer/client 14. Alternatively, the completed display may be picked up at the original retail establishment where the order was placed, or picked up at the location where personal items were delivered, or where the display was manufactured.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a method of making a laminated display as disclosed herein. FIG. 3 is a representative display 50 constructed according to the method disclosed herein. As described above, the user assembles the design 20 from materials obtained from the client, provided by the user, or a combination of the two. The design is generated by placing the items 21 on a first side 23 of a lower sheet 22 of vinyl, plastic, or any other material that is known in the art, however, 12 gauge vinyl is particularly preferred. The lower sheet 22 has a first 23 and second side 24 and an outer edge 25. The lower sheet 22 and items 21 are then covered with an upper sheet 26 also having a first 27 and second side 28 and an outer edge 29 such that the displayed items 21 are sandwiched between the first side 23 of the lower sheet 22 and the first side 27 of the upper sheet 26. See FIG. 3. Again the upper sheet 26 may be made of vinyl, plastic, or any other material that is known in the art, however, 12 gauge vinyl is particularly preferred.

The displayed items 21 may be applied to the lower sheet 22 by use of an adhesive, however, when items of a personal nature are used in the display, a method that does not use an adhesive directly on the items is preferred.

Once the sandwich of lower sheet 22, items 21, and upper sheet 26 is prepared, the user then binds selected portions of the lower 22 and upper 26 sheets together using spot seals 30. The spot seals act to prevent the displayed items 21 from significantly shifting during completion of the display and once the display is fully assembled. The spot seals 30 may be created by using a heat sealing device 31, sewing 32, an adhesive 33, or any other means that would allow for a selected small portion of the upper 26 and lower 22 sheet to be bound together. For the heat sealing means 31, a heat sealing device that includes two pieces whereby the user can selectively bind portions of the upper 26 and lower 22 sheets together is particularly preferred. With the sewing means 32, a simple stitch as is known in the art would suffice. And with the adhesive means, a method whereby the adhesive is able to be localized into the space between the upper 26 and lower 22 sheet so that they can then be bound together is also effective. More specifically, a syringe that contains a binding agent can penetrate the upper 26 or lower 22 sheet by a needle whereby the binding agent is then deposited in the space between the sheets. The spot seal 30 is then created by binding the two sheets together, which also effectively seals the hole created by the needle.

Once the spot seals 30 are in place, the overall design is finalized 34 and a majority of the outer edges 25, 29 are sealed by heat sealing 35, sewing 36, using an adhesive 37 or any other means that would allow for a the outer edges of the upper and lower sheet to be bound together. It is has been found that binding together three of the edges and 80% of the fourth edge is particularly preferred when constructing a display with four edges, however, other methods, and in fact other shapes are contemplated as part of this disclosure as the effect of the partial sealing is to allow for the air to escape from the interior of the two layers, as described below. With the heat sealing means 35, it is particularly preferred to use a foot type impulse sealer such as Model # TISF-305, made by TEW Electrical Heating Equipment Co., LTD, however other sealers that are common in the art or may be developed are contemplated as part of this disclosure. With the sewing means 36, durable thread is preferred and the apparatus to sew the desired enclosure is well known in the art. Finally, with the adhesive means 37, double sided tape, bonding cement, or any other material that would bind plastic or vinyl surfaces together that are well known in the art or may be developed are contemplated as part of the disclosure.

Once the outer edges 25, 29 are substantially bound together, the air is removed 38 between the upper 26 and lower layers 22. This can be done in any number of ways, such as inserting a tube in the unsealed portion and evacuating the air with a vacuum 39, rolling up the display 50 like a sleeping bag to expel the air out of the unsealed portion 40, or using a heavy object such as an iron to press out the pockets of air through the opening/unsealed portion 41.

Finally, the display is sealed 42 using the three methods described above in such a way so as to keep any air from entering before the display 50 is sealed. The methods of sealing the display shut include heat sealing 43, sewing 44, using an adhesive 45 or any other means that would allow for a the outer edges of the upper and lower sheet to be bound together. Again, With the heat sealing means 43, it is particularly preferred to use a foot type impulse sealer such as Model # TISF-305, made by TEW Electrical Heating Equipment Co., LTD, however other sealers that are common in the art or may be developed are contemplated as part of this disclosure. And with the sewing means 44, durable thread is preferred and the apparatus to sew the desired enclosure is well known in the art. And again, with the adhesive means 45, double sided tape, bonding cement, or any other material that would bind plastic or vinyl surfaces together that are well known in the art or may be developed are contemplated as part of this disclosure.

While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A method of making a laminated display, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining the items that will be used in the display; assembling the items used in the display on a first side of a lower sheet having a first and second side and an outer edge; covering the displayed items with an upper sheet, wherein the upper sheet has a first and second side and an outer edge and wherein the displayed items are sandwiched between the first side of the lower sheet and the first side of the upper sheet; binding selected portions of the lower and upper sheets together using spot seals such that the spot seals act to prevent the displayed items from significantly shifting during completion of the display and once the display is fully assembled; sealing a portion of the outer edges of the upper and lower sheets together; removing the air within the display between the lower and upper sheet through the unsealed portion of the upper and lower sheets; and sealing the remaining unsealed portion of the display so as to form the laminated display.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining the items for the display are at least partially provided by the client.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of binding the selected portions are done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, sewing, and adhesive.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of sealing a portion of the outer edges is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, adhesive, and sewing.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of removing the air is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of using a vacuum, rolling up the display to expel the air, and pressing the air out.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of sealing the remaining unsealed portion is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, adhesive, and sewing.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining the items for the display are not provided by the client.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of binding the selected portions are done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing and adhesive.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of sealing a portion of the outer edges is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, adhesive, and sewing.
 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of removing the air is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of using a vacuum, rolling up the display to expel the air, and pressing the air out.
 11. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of sealing the remaining unsealed portion is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, adhesive, and sewing.
 12. A method of providing a laminated display device to a client, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an order from a client wherein the method of receiving the order is selected from the group consisting of through a retail establishment, through a catalog, through a website, and through an advertisement; assembling the items used in the display on a first side of a lower sheet having a first and second side and an outer edge; covering the displayed items with an upper sheet, wherein the upper sheet has a first and second side and an outer edge and wherein the displayed items are sandwiched between the first side of the lower sheet and the first side of the upper sheet; binding selected portions of the lower and upper sheets together using spot seals such that the spot seals act to prevent the displayed items from significantly shifting during completion of the display and once the display is fully assembled; sealing a portion of the outer edges of the upper and lower sheets together; removing the air within the display between the lower and upper sheet through the unsealed portion of the upper and lower sheets; sealing the remaining unsealed portion of the display so as to form the laminated display; packaging the display; and shipping the display to the client.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of binding the selected portions are done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, sewing, and adhesive.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of sealing a portion of the outer edges is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, adhesive, and sewing.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of removing the air is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of inserting a tube into the unsealed portion and using a vacuum, rolling up the display to expel the air, and pressing the air out.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of sealing the remaining unsealed portion is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, adhesive, and sewing.
 17. A method of providing a personalized laminated display device to a client, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an order from a client wherein the method of receiving the order is selected from the group consisting of through a retail establishment, through a catalog, through a website, and through an advertisement; accepting personal items from the client; assembling the items used in the display wherein at least a portion of the items are provided by the client on a first side of a lower sheet having a first and second side and an outer edge; covering the displayed items with an upper sheet, wherein the upper sheet has a first and second side and an outer edge and wherein the displayed items are sandwiched between the first side of the lower sheet and the first side of the upper sheet; binding selected portions of the lower and upper sheets together using spot seals such that the spot seals act to prevent the displayed items from significantly shifting during completion of the display and once the display is fully assembled; sealing a portion of the outer edges of the upper and lower sheets together; removing the air within the display between the lower and upper sheet through the unsealed portion of the upper and lower sheets; sealing the remaining unsealed portion of the display so as to form the laminated display; packaging the display; and shipping the display to the client.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of binding the selected portions are done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, sewing, and adhesive.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of sealing a portion of the outer edges is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, adhesive, and sewing.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of removing the air is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of inserting a tube into the unsealed portion and using a vacuum, rolling up the display to expel the air, and pressing the air out.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of sealing the remaining unsealed portion is done by using a method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, adhesive, and sewing. 